House of Visconti

The House of Visconti was an important Italian noble dynasty that was founded in 1056. The original branch of the family came to rule Pisa and Sardinia, while the second branch ruled Milan from 1277 to 1447; the family even produced a Pope, Pope Gregory X (r. 1271-76). In 1447, the Visconti of Milan's male line became extinct, and the House of Sforza took power. The family's coat of arms either depicted a serpent eating a Saracen, or giving birth to a child.